Giving Expression to the Lord's Grace and Glory in Life

Glittering Generality or Stimulating Specificity

“Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them” (Mark 11.24).

Prayer becomes arduous when viewed from a duty perspective. How does one get to the place where prayer is valued as more necessary than physical food? The crux of this verse is found in the word ‘believe’. The miracle of faith and a supply of grace to obey fuels vibrant prayer lives.

The verse indicates that we ought to have a sense of definiteness when we pray. “Whatever things you ask…” means that I ought to have some ‘things’ to bring before the Lord. “Believe that you receive them” communicates faith; we ought to count them as received already.

It is good to consider what we shall ask of the Lord as we examine our motives. The ‘things’ we ask for are specific things …specific people. We ought to pray simply and specifically not with mock modesty and flowery, glittering generalities. Our honest straightforward approach ought to be verbalized in our own words. Abraham’s words are best for Abraham; our words are best for us.

God will hear you when you pray because He has promised to hear you. You won’t reach Heaven with harmonious logic and beauty in your prayer. Shake off formalism and talk to God as a child speaks to his father. Don’t allow the lips to move without the heart.